On demand call re-termination

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are methods and systems for re-terminating telephone calls. A telephone call is established between a caller and a member of a subscriber. During the call, a sequence of key strokes is received from the member who uses customer premises equipment during the call. A subscriber list related to the subscriber is reviewed, based at least in part on the sequence of keys. The call is transferred to a component in the telephone network, and the call from the component is re-terminated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This document is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/961,411, filed Sep. 25,2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,337, which is entirely incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telephone systems, and moreparticularly, to a system and method for re-termination of a telephonecall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a caller makes a telephone call to a telephone number that isshared by multiple members of a telephone service subscriber, that callis often answered by a member (the answering member) who is not thecaller's desired or intended member (the intended member). Thissituation often occurs in, for example, a college dormitory roomoccupied by two or more students, a household of multiple members, anapartment shared by several roommates, and other similar dwelling units.

When the answering member finds out that he or she is not the persondesired by the caller, he or she may offer to do one of several thingsfor the caller. For example, if the intended member is unavailable, theanswering member may offer to take a message from the caller. If theintended member is available, the answering member may ask the caller towait while he or she passes the telephone handset to the intendedmember.

In a situation in which the intended member is not available, althoughthe answering member may offer to take a message, that offer is notalways acceptable to the caller for various reasons. For example, thecaller is often put on hold or interrupted numerous times before theanswering member successfully finds a piece of paper and a writinginstrument. Furthermore, even if the caller leaves a message with theanswering member, that message does not always reach the intended membersuccessfully. For example, the piece of paper with the written messagemay be subsequently misplaced or the message may be incorrectly recordedby the answering member.

In a situation in which the intended member is available, it may beinconvenient for the answering member to get the intended member'sattention. For example, if a father (the answering member) on the secondfloor bedroom answers a call for his son (the intended member) who ispracticing drums in the basement, the father would have to go down twoflights of stairs to get the son's attention.

In another situation in which the caller wishes to transmit a documentto the subscriber who uses the same telephone line for both voice anddata communication, the caller has to call a second time if the firstcall was answered by a person instead of a fax machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows a subscriber to cause a previously answeredincoming call to be re-terminated to the subscriber's telephone line.

A caller dials a telephone number of a subscriber. The subscriber may bea one-member subscriber or a multi-member subscriber. A member of thesubscriber answers the call. The answering member may or may not be anintended member or a member desired by the caller. The answering memberpresses one or more keys on the keypad of a customer premises equipment(CPE), e.g., a telephone, to enter a sequence of keystrokes. Thesequence of keystrokes may represent a code which provides informationrelated to how the call should be re-terminated. The answering memberhangs up after entering the sequence of keystrokes. The call is thenre-terminated to the same telephone number.

When the call re-terminates, there are a number of options available tothe subscriber as to how the re-terminated call may be picked up. Forexample, the call can be allowed to ring through to a voice mailboxassociated with the intended member that was identified by the sequenceof keystrokes. Alternatively, the call can be allowed to ring longenough to activate an answering machine. Similarly, the call can bepicked up by a fax machine. The call may also ring to allow the intendedmember (e.g., the son in the basement) to answer the telephone. In anembodiment of the invention in which the re-terminated call uses adistinctive ringing tone determined by the sequence of keystrokes, thecall is answered by an intended member who is associated with thedistinctive ringing tone.

In an embodiment that can be implemented in an advanced intelligentnetwork (AIN), the answering member can activate a service of thepresent invention by, for example, flashing a switch hook on the CPE andentering a feature code. The feature code may comprise, for example, asequence of one or more characters and numbers on the keypad. Theanswering member's action is detected by a trigger provision on thesubscriber's telephone line. Preferably, the trigger is a Custom DialingPlan (CDP) trigger. The trigger causes a query to be sent to a servicecontrol point (SCP). At the SCP, the query is processed and anAnalyze_Route message is returned.

The Analyze_Route message preferably contains the subscriber's telephonenumber. The call is transferred to a component within the AIN.Preferably, the component is a Service Node (SN). Once the call istransferred, an announcement can be played to instruct the answeringmember to hang up. Once the answering member hangs up, the componenttransfers the call back to the subscriber.

Another variation of this service allows the answering member to enteran ID code. This ID code applies a distinctive ringing tone or ringingpattern when the call is re-terminated. Multiple ID codes allow formultiple distinctive ring tones or ringing patterns. For a multi-membersubscriber, each member of the subscriber can be associated with adistinctive ringing tone or pattern. In other embodiments, the ID codecan be associated with a mailbox of a member of the subscriber.

Another variation of this service can be used to handle fax messages. Ifan unexpected fax call is answered by a member of the subscriber, thefax is lost unless the caller retries. With this feature the call couldbe re-terminated and picked up by the fax machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary system architectureof an embodiment of the invention as implemented in an AIM.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that could be used tocarry out an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a flowchart illustrating additional exemplary steps involvedin using an embodiment of the invention in which an answering machineassociated with the subscriber picks up the re-terminated call.

FIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating additional exemplary steps involvedin using an embodiment of the invention in which a fax machineassociated with the subscriber picks up the re-terminated call.

FIG. 3C is a flowchart illustrating additional exemplary steps involvedin using an embodiment of the invention in which a member different fromthe answering member picks up the re-terminated call.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a system architecture of anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in usinganother embodiment of the invention in which the re-terminated call usesdistinctive ringing tones.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in usinganother embodiment of the invention in which the call is routed to avoice mailbox of an intended member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Although preferred embodiments of the invention are described herein inthe context of an advanced intelligent network (AIN), the invention maybe adapted for many other telephone systems or networks. The AIN isdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,701,301, and 5,838,774, each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system architecture of oneembodiment of the invention as implemented in an AIN. Telephone network100 comprises service control point (SCP) 140, database 142, servicenode (SN) 160, database 162, SS7 network 150, and service switchingpoints (SSP) 122 and 136.

Subscriber 110 is a customer or service subscriber of the invention, andtelephone network 100 is the service provider of the invention.Subscriber 110 may be a one-member subscriber or a multi-membersubscriber. A multi-member subscriber may be, for example, severalcollege students sharing a dormitory unit, two or more members of ahousehold, or multiple roommates of an apartment.

Subscriber 110 has customer premises equipment (CPE) 112. CPE 112 may bea telephone set or another equipment or device, such as a computer or acellular telephone, that can initiate or receive communication sessionsusing telephone line 114. Any member of subscriber 110 can initiate orreceive calls through telephone line 114 using CPE 112. The telephonenumber associated with telephone line 114 is hereinafter referred to asthe subscriber number. Telephone line 114 is connected to SSP 116. CPE112 is also in communication with device 126. Device 126 may be anytelephone related device such as, for example, an answering machine, afax machine, or other similar equipment.

Caller 130 and CPE 132 are in communication with telephone network 100.Caller 130 may be part of a telephone network different from telephonenetwork 100 or may be on telephone network 100. CPE 132 may be alandline telephone, a computer, or a wireless device. In any event, whencaller 130 dials the telephone number of subscriber 110, the call isrouted through an SSP within telephone network 100. Although caller 130is shown to be connected to SSP 136, it is understood that in somecircumstances caller 130 could be directly connected to SSP 116.

Telephone line 114 has one or more triggers 122 provisioned on SSP 116.Preferably, trigger 122 is a customer dialing plan (CDP) trigger.Trigger 122 can detect certain conditions associated with the status oftelephone line 114. For example, trigger 122 can be programmed orotherwise adapted to detect the pressing of the “Flash” button oranother action on CPE 112. When subscriber 110 presses the “Flash”button, trigger 122 sends a query to SCP 140, which processes the queryand returns a message. The message instructs SSP 116 as to how the callshould be re-terminated.

The query generally comprises the subscriber number in theCalling_Party_ID field of the query. Other information can beincorporated in the query.

SCP 140 uses the subscriber number to access subscriber informationassociated with subscriber 110. The subscriber information may, forexample, be stored in database 142 associated with SCP 140. Thesubscriber information comprises a subscriber list. The subscriber listmay contain, among other information, the name of each member ofsubscriber 110, a distinctive ringing tone or ringing pattern associatedwith each member, and a voice mailbox number of each member. Thesubscriber list may also be stored in another database. For example, thesubscriber list may be stored in database 162.

Using the subscriber number, SCP 140 retrieves one or more callprocessing instructions from the subscriber list. The call processinginstructions are then forwarded to SSP 116, which in turns processes thecall accordingly.

In an AIN network, transmission of the query from SSP 116 to SCP 140 andthe message or response from SCP 140 to SSP 116 is done using signalingover SS7 signaling system 150.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using thefirst embodiment of the invention. To more clearly describe theflowchart, references are made to components or elements shown in FIG.1.

In step 202, caller 130 dials the subscriber number (telephone numberassigned to telephone line 114) using CPE 132. When all digits of thesubscriber number are dialed, a call is generated and routed to SSP 116,which causes CPE 112 to ring to indicate that a call has arrived.

In step 204, a member of subscriber 110 answers the call (the answeringmember). If this answering member happens to be caller 130's intendedmember with whom caller 130 desires to have a conversation, then theprocess ends and caller 130 and the intended member engages in a voicecommunication session. Otherwise, if the answering member is not theintended member, or caller 130 wishes to send a document by fax, thenthe process continues in step 206.

In step 206, caller 130 informs the answering member of his or herpurpose for the call. For example, the purpose of caller 130 may be tospeak with an intended member who is not the answering member. Anotherpurpose may be that caller 130 wishes to fax a document to the answeringmember or other members of subscriber 110.

In step 208, the answering member enters a sequence of keystrokes. Thesequence of keystrokes may be entered by the answering member bypressing one or more keys on the keypad of CPE 112. The keys pressed bythe answering member can be any key on the keypad that have beenprogrammed to implement a service of the invention or the switch hook.For example, the answering member may press the “Flash” key. Theanswering member may also press additional keys after the “Flash” key.For example, the answering member may press “Flash” followed by thenumber “8” key twice.

In step 210, when trigger 122 detects the sequence of keystrokes pressedby the answering member, trigger 122 causes SSP 116 to launch a query toSCP 140. The query may be, for example, a Custom Dialing Plan query. Thequery contains, among other information, the subscriber number in theCalling_Party_ID field. In addition, the query includes the numbers, ifany, entered by the answering member following the “Flash” key in aVertical Service Code field of the query.

In step 212, SCP 140 consults database 142 and returns a message to SSP116. Using the information in the Calling_Party_ID field of the query,which is the subscriber number, SCP 140 may access, for example, thesubscriber list of subscriber 110. The message from SCP 140 to SSP 116may be, for example, an Analyze_Route message. The message instructs SSP116 to execute one or more actions. The message preferably retains thesubscriber number in the Calling_PartyID field.

In step 214, SSP 122 routes the call to SN 160.

In addition, in step 216, SSP 116 may play an announcement. For example,the announcement may ask the answering member to hang up.

In step 218, the answering member hangs up. Telephone line 114 is thenfree to accept new calls.

In step 220, SN 160 re-terminates the call from caller 130 to CPE 112.

In step 222, CPE 112 rings again. This time the answering member knowsthat the call is not for him or her, and lets CPE 112 rings.

In light of the above steps, a number of different embodiments may beimplemented. For example, one or more of steps 234, 244, and 254 shownin FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, respectively, may take place after step 222.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, if device 126 shown in FIG. 1 is ananswering machine that is connected to or part of CPE 112, device 126 isactivated in step 234 to record a voice message from caller 130.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B, if device 126 shown in FIG. 1 is afax machine that is connected to or party of CPE 112, device 126 isactivated in step 244 to receive a facsimile transmission from caller130. In still another alternative implementation shown in FIG. 3C, amember of subscriber 110 who is not the answering member may pick up thecall in step 254.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a system architecture of adifferent embodiment of the invention adaptable for a multi-membersubscriber. Subscriber 410 is served by telephone line 414, which isconnected to SSP 416. Trigger 422 is provisioned on telephone line 414.Trigger 422 is preferably a CDP trigger.

In this embodiment, for illustration purposes, assume that subscriber410 has three members. Subscriber 410 may, but is not required to, havemore than one CPE. For example, each of CPE 412, 418, and 419 can belocated in a different part of the house in which the members live. Asan example, CPE 412, 418, and 419 may be located in the second-floorbedroom, the first-floor kitchen, and the basement, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using anembodiment of the invention with references to FIG. 4. In thisembodiment, a re-terminated call from SN 160 can ring using one ofseveral distinctive ringing tones or ringing patterns. Each member ofsubscriber 410 can be associated with at least one of the distinctiveringing tones. With the distinctive ringing tones, each member ofsubscriber 410 knows whether a re-terminated incoming call is for him orher.

In step 502, a subscriber list associated with subscriber 410 iscreated. The subscriber list may be created by subscriber 410. Thesubscriber list may be uploaded or provided to the service provider ofthe invention via, e.g., the Internet. Preferably an Interactive VoiceResponse (IVR) system, may be used.

The subscriber list is associated with the telephone number of telephoneline 414. The telephone number of telephone line 414 is also referred toas the subscriber number. For illustration purposes, assume that thesubscriber number is 404-434-4334. Each member of subscriber 410 can beassociated with at least one distinctive ringing tone or ringingpattern. For example, if subscriber 410 has three members, namely, JoeDoe, Janet Doe, and Jimmy Doe, then an exemplary subscriber list, suchas that shown in Table 1 below, may be created for subscriber 410.

TABLE 1 Subscriber list associated with 404-434-4334 Member Ring CodeDistinctive Ringing Tone Joe 11 No. 1 Janet 22 No. 2 Jimmy 33 No. 3

In Table 1, the left column contains the name of each member ofsubscriber 410. In the middle column, a code is associated with eachmember. For example, Joe, Janet, and Jimmy are associated with codes“11,” “22,” and “33,” respectively. The right column lists threedistinctive ringing tones, each of which is associated with a member ofsubscriber 410. For example, calls for Joe, Janet, and Jimmy will bealerted using Distinctive Ringing Tone Nos. 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

In step 504, the subscriber list is stored in a database. The databaseis accessible by SN 160. For example, database 162 may be used to storethe subscriber list.

In step 506, when caller 130 dials the subscriber number, e.g.,404-434-4334, SSP rings one or more of CPE 412, 418, and 419. Theringing tone used is preferably different from any of the distinctiveringing tones listed in Table 1.

In step 508, a member of subscriber 410 answers the call (the answeringmember). If this answering member happens to be caller 130's intendedmember of subscriber 410, then the process ends and caller 130 and theintended member engages in a voice communication session. Otherwise, ifthe answering member is not the intended member, then the processcontinues in step 510. For the following discussion, assume forillustration purposes that the answering member is Joe Doe who picks upthe call using CPE 412 in the second floor bedroom.

In step 510, caller 130 informs the answering member who the intendedmember is. Assume for illustration purposes that the intended member isJimmy Doe, who is not with Joe Doe in the second floor. Assume furtherthat Joe Doe knows that Jimmy Doe is at home, but at a differentlocation of the house, perhaps in the basement.

In step 512, the answering member presses one or more keys on a keypadof CPE 412. The keys pressed by the answering member can be any key onthe keypad that have been programmed to implement a service of theinvention. For example, the answering member may press the “Flash” key.The answering member may also press additional keys after the “Flash”key. For example, the answering member may press “Flash” followed by afeature code, e.g., “88”, for the on-demand recall service of thepresent invention.

In step 514, SSP 416 sends a query to SCP 140. The query is preferablyan Info_Analyzed query.

In step 516, SCP 140 determines a directory number (DN) which can beused to route the call to SN 160.

In step 518, SCP 140 returns that DN in the Called_Party field in theAnalyze_Route response.

In step 520, SSP 416 routes the call to SN 160.

In step 522, SN 160 asks and receives from subscriber 410 a ring code.For example, Joe Doe may supply “33” in step 522.

In step 524, SN 160 accesses database 162 to determine which ringingtone is associated with the ring code. In the example, Ring Code “33” isassociated with Distinctive Ringing Tone No. 3.

In step 526, SN 160 instructs subscriber 410 to hangup and immediatelyplace call to subscriber 410. Distinctive Ringing Tone No. 3 is used toring one or more of CPE 412, 418, and 419.

In step 528, the answering member who recognizes the distinctive ringingtone picks up one of CPE 412, 418, and 419. In an example in which RingCode “33” was received in step 522, Jimmy picks up the call using CPE419. When that call is answered by another member subscriber 410, (e.g.,Jimmy Doe) in step 528, SN 160 bridges the original call and the newcall. At that point SN 160 drops out of the picture.

In this embodiment, SN 160 collects the ring code from subscriber 410 instep 522. In another embodiment, SN 160 may collect other information,e.g., mailbox number to forward the call to a mailbox service.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in usinganother embodiment of the invention. Steps 602 through 610 are generallysimilar to corresponding steps 502 through 510 described above.Differences are noted below.

For example, the subscriber list created in step 602 may contain anadditional column as shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Subscriber list associated with 404-434-4334 Member Ring CodeDistinctive Ringing Tone Mailbox Number Joe 11 No. 1 001 Janet 22 No. 2002 Jimmy 33 No. 3 003

In Table 2, the far right column contains mailbox numbers that areassociated with members of subscriber 410. For example, Joe, Janet, andJimmy are associated with Mailbox Numbers “001,” “002,” and “003,”respectively.

Steps 604 through 608 are similar to corresponding steps 504 through508, respectively.

In step 610, caller 130 informs the answering member who the intendedmember is. Assume for illustration purposes that the intended member isJanet Doe, who is not with Joe Doe in the second floor. Assume furtherthat Joe Doe knows that Janet Doe is not home, and caller 130 chooses toleave a voicemail in Janet Doe's voice mailbox.

In step 612, the answering member presses one or more keys on keypad ofCPE 412. The keys pressed by the answering member can be any key on thekeypad that have been programmed to implement a service of theinvention. For example, the answering member may press the “*” key. Theanswering member may also press additional keys after the “*” key. Forexample, Joe Doe may press “*” followed by the sequence of the “0”, “0”,and “2” to designate Janet Doe as the intended member.

In step 614, when trigger 422 that is provisioned on telephone line 414detects the sequence of keys pressed by the answering member using CPE412, trigger 422 causes SSP 416 to launch a query to SCP 140. The querycontains, among other information, the subscriber number in theCalling_Party_ID field.

In addition, the numbers following the “*” key entered by the answeringmember may be placed in another field of the query. For example, aMember_Mailbox field may be created in the query to accommodate the“003” number entered by the answering party. Another method for carryingthe three-digit member mailbox number is to expand the Calling_Party_IDfield from 10 to 13 digits. The three-digit member mailbox number can beadded in the Calling_Party_ID field as a prefix or a suffix. Stillanother alternative would be to have SN 160 solicit the mailbox number,which is similar to soliciting a ring code discussed above in steps 512through 526.

In step 616, SCP 140 consults database 142. Using the information in theCalling_Party_ID field of the query, which is the subscriber number, SCP140 accesses, for example, the subscriber list of subscriber 410. If theCalling_Party_ID field contains 404-434-4334, for example, then Table 2is retrieved and reviewed by SCP 140. With the information in theMember_Mailbox field or in the prefix or suffix of the Calling_Party_IDfield of the query, it can be determined which member mailbox should beused during re-termination of the call.

In step 618, SCP 140 returns a message to SSP 416. The message from SCP140 to SSP 416 may be, for example, an Analyze_Route message. Themessage contains a number of fields. For example, the Member_Mailboxfield contains the member mailbox number that is associated with theintended member. The message also contains the subscriber number.

In step 620, SSP 416 transfers the call to SN 160.

In step 622, SSP 416 may also play an announcement asking the answeringmember to hang up.

In step 624, the answering member hangs up.

In step 626, SN 160 re-terminates the call from caller 130 to SSP 416.SSP 416 then forwards the call to the appropriate mailbox associatedwith the member mailbox number.

In step 628, after the call is routed to the mailbox of the intendedmember, caller 130 leaves a voice message.

In describing representative embodiments of the invention, thespecification may have presented the method and/or process of theinvention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent thatthe method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps setforth herein, the method or process should not be limited to theparticular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in theart would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible.Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in thespecification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. Inaddition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of theinvention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in theorder written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate thatthe sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

The foregoing disclosure of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodimentsdescribed herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art inlight of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to bedefined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

1. A method for re-terminating a telephone call terminated to asubscriber phone number in an advanced intelligent network comprisingthe steps of: storing member information related to the subscriber phonenumber in a database accessible to a service control point; terminatinga call to the subscriber phone number; detecting a sequence of keystrokes from customer premises equipment on a subscriber line associatedwith the subscriber phone number, wherein the sequence is detected by atrigger provisioned on the subscriber line; launching a query by aservice switching point associated with the subscriber line to theservice control point, wherein at least part of the sequence isincorporated into the query; consulting the database to review themember information; transferring the call to a service node; andre-terminating the call in accordance with the member information. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the call is re-terminated to the customerpremises equipment.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the call is pickedup by one of an answering machine, a fax machine, and a second member ofthe subscriber.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequence ofkeystrokes is associated with an intended member of the subscriber. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein the call is re-terminated with adistinctive ringing tone associated with the intended member.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the call is picked up by the intended member.7. The method of claim 6, wherein the call is re-terminated to a voicemailbox associated with the intended member.
 8. The method of claim 7,further comprising the step of instructing the answering member to hangup.
 9. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, thecomputer program for re-terminating a telephone call to a subscriberphone number in an advanced intelligent network, the program comprisingthe steps of: storing member information related to the subscriber phonenumber in a database accessible to a service control point; terminatinga call to the subscriber phone number; detecting a sequence of keystrokes from customer premises equipment on a subscriber line associatedwith the subscriber phone number, wherein the sequence is detected by atrigger provisioned on the subscriber line; launching a query by aservice switching point associated with the subscriber line to theservice control point, wherein at least part of the sequence isincorporated into the query; consulting the database to review themember information; transferring the call to a service node; andre-terminating the call in accordance with the member information. 10.The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the call isre-terminated to the customer premises equipment.
 11. The computerreadable medium of claim 10, wherein the call is picked up by one of ananswering machine, a fax machine, and a second member of the subscriber.12. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the sequence ofkeystrokes is associated with an intended member of the subscriber. 13.The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the call isre-terminated with a distinctive ringing tone associated with theintended member.
 14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, whereinthe call is picked up by the intended member.
 15. The computer readablemedium of claim 12, wherein the call is re-terminated to a voice mailboxassociated with the intended member.
 16. The computer readable medium ofclaim 9, the program further comprising the step of instructing theanswering member to hang up.